ooohhh, stuffed crust.

“And you might die in the process. Now tell me, how does that sound like a smart plan?”

“I never said it was a smart plan. It’s called looking on the bright side.”

“You probably wouldn’t like hanging around me much then.”

“As long as you don’t expect me to bring you bottled sparkling water every time you get thirsty, I think I can deal.”

“Ants are so tiny, the chocolate would probably just mask the taste..I don’t think they’d be half bad.”

“Man, I really want to go test out this theory now.”

“Scientists are here to help us? Yeah, right. I used to think the same, but if they don’t give me answers, then things will get ugly”.

“I don’t know. Aren’t they the whole reason we’re here? If they wanted to help us, they would release us. But you see how far threatening them gets you. Do that and I wouldn’t be surprised if you end up as the next mystery case.”

“Everyone loves a brat with dirty hair, right? Actually, I should probably wash it..”

“I hate to break it to you but I’m pretty sure people tend to avoid brats. The whole definition is ‘badly behaved’, and who loves someone that pitches unnecessary fits?”

“”By your theory, should it be intentional, or something un-so? How deliberate do you find it? Does the government know?”

“The government definitely knows. They’re probably behind it. I mean, I think that’s the whole point of giving us games to focus on. So they can get away with things that we would otherwise pick up on.”

“Huh, thats not actually a bad idea.” he half-smiled. “Im iffy on the scorpions, but a chocolate covered ant may not taste too bad.” 

“The scorpions are just so big. I’m sure the ants would be more like... chocolate covered raisins or something. I’d try them.”

“If you keep talking about it, you may be next. Better you than me though.”

“Ah, but at least I’d know what was going on then.”

“Oh. Oh, yeah, sure. Definitely,” Morph nodded solemnly, still with a pleasant smile. “Any idea what it might be? I feel perhaps it’s about noxious gasses.”

“Noxious gasses is a fair guess.” Edith shrugged, thinking it over. They didn’t know what it would be but it would be a disaster. “Maybe it will have something to do with bombs. It would be pretty cool to see a live action explosion.”

“ can i raise an eyebrow instead? or a toe? im too lazy to raise a hand. and, also, i’m not in kindergarten so i’ve given up on that technique. ”

“I guess it doesn’t make much of a difference.” They stared at Meg with a puzzled expression. “How the hell do you raise a toe?”

Normally Jane would try not to think about how they were all trapped inside a Dome, but every once in a while it was hard to keep her mind from trailing off to that thought. What was life like outside this Dome? Why can’t they remember that much from their past? Was her mother out there, looking for her? And many other questions that she would like to ask and know about yet knew it was futile. Not like she wasn’t curious to know why the Scientists decided to do this in the first place. “Or at the very least, a bit appalling. It would possibly be painful too, at least at first because I can’t imagine such a thing happening without feeling some kind of pain.” She shrugged. “Very true. Animals have a way of communicating with one another that humans can never could, which is why they are able to live in peace even long before we stepped foot on this Earth. However, I like to believe that we are all not so bad and so if only those who are good are able to revert back to their primate stage, than possible we could change this planet for the better.”

“Maybe. But pain is just pain, and I like to think I’ve got a decent tolerance.” It most likely came from being a reckless child, running full force into walls and falling from the tops of monkey bars. It was a wonder they didn’t break every bone in their body and come home with a concussion every day. How many injuries they had gotten, even something as simple as that, they couldn’t remember. “It is kind of cool how animals talk to each other. Even bugs, they have to, to live in harmony. It would be cool to come back reincarnated as some kind of insect to see firsthand what it was like. Though I guess you wouldn’t have your human brain to realize you were ever anything other than a bug. So maybe it isn’t worth getting stomped on or eaten.” They found themself nodding. “It is possible. Unfortunately somewhat far fetched, but possible. Maybe someday, right?”

“Or maybe they’re just a way for people to enjoy the end of summer with sports and games and getting down and dirty, because that’s fun… I mean, not for me, because ew, but for other people…”

“Oh, I won’t argue that it’s fun. I just find myself wondering why these people care about us having a good time and the answer is obvious. They don’t. So what is it they are trying to distract us from?”

“Yeah… I’ve come to learn that… I just accept what I am which is something they don’t really want to get to know. I’m just used to it. I can’t really blame them either.” She knew what she was and there wasn’t much else to say on the subject. Sage wasn’t like everyone else, everything she saw was clouded and uninteresting. “Oh… I can’t say I’ve ever really enjoyed either. I think oatmeal is pretty okay… I don’t really have favorites of things.” Sage found it hard to enjoy many things in life, another thing she didn’t like about herself. “I wouldn’t mind dying if it meant something else could live. Maybe that’s just me.”

“All that matters is that you accept yourself.” It sounded a little too deep considering the way Edith spoke it so casually, inspecting a loose string hanging from their blouse. “Really? I mean, I get the peanut butter thing, kind of. But what’s wrong with pizza? Who can possibly not like pizza?” It was amazing, they found themself thinking again, how much this girl could feel negatively about. Edith was far from the most loving person underneath the dome but even they had a long list of likes. Especially when it came to food. “Oatmeal is alright, I guess. Kind of feels like you’re eating wet sand but if that’s what floats your boat...” They nodded at Sage’s comment. “Oh, I don’t think I would either. But they’d have to be someone that wasn’t just going to waste the life I gave up for them, you feel?”

Storm looked over at the other, grateful as they moved aside a little, before looking down at the bowl hesitantly, a small smirk on his lips as they spoke about possibly burning the whole thing. He silently helped himself as he took a handful, stuffing his face as he re-positioned himself on the couch. It was weird; hanging out with someone so casually who wasn’t Lilo, but he did enjoy their company, whether he chose to admit it or not. “Thanks.”

“Welcome.” Edith nodded, munching on the snack in the palm of their hand. If they were one to actually follow instructions, they probably wouldn’t have had a problem. “Hopefully one of these days I’ll figure out how to fix delicious, buttery, soft popcorn,” they studied a piece between their forefinger and thumb with a sigh, “but today is clearly not that day.”

“Yes ma’am.” Edith rolled their eyes. “I actually thought that was a pretty good comeback but I’ll work on it just for you.”